Plum tree named ‘Black Majesty III’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a plum tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from a plum that blooms during the early season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during mid July, with first picking on Jul. 9, 2010. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, blackish purple in skin color, clingstone in type, oblate to cordate in shape, brilliant greenish yellow in flesh color, firm in texture, and mildly sweet in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus salicina.

Varietal denomination: ‘BLACK MAJESTY III’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The present inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree, which has beendenominated varietally as ‘Black Majesty III’.

During a typical blooming season I isolate as seed parents bothindividual and groups of different plum trees by covering them withscreen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside each such house, andbouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot, andinterspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees are placed in buckets near thetrees approximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During2001 one such house containing a group of five different plum trees wascrossed by me in this manner. To pollinate the plum trees in this house,I selected bouquets from several sources of plum and interspecific treeswithout keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturity thefruit from these plum trees was harvested and the seeds were removed,cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label “H8”. Theywere grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse and uponreaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). During the summer of 2005 the claimed variety was selected byme as a single plant from the group of seedlings described above.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of plum tree, Iasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was true to type.

The present variety is similar to ‘Yummyrosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,476) plum by being productive, by being self-unfruitful and byproducing fruit that is medium in size, sweet in flavor, mostly oblatein shape, and clingstone in type but is distinguished therefrom byflowering in the early instead of mid season and by producing fruit thatis almost entirely yellow in flesh color without red bleeding, that ismuch less prone to dropping, and that matures about seven days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present plum variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous,hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present varietyrequires cross pollination from a plum that blooms during the earlyseason. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions describedduring mid July, with first picking on Jul. 9, 2010. The fruit isuniformly medium in size, blackish purple in skin color, clingstone intype, oblate to cordate in shape, brilliant greenish yellow in fleshcolor, firm in texture, and mildly sweet in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, two half fruitsdivided to reveal the flesh and stone, a young tip shoot growth, typicalleaves, and three insets depicting the flower buds and blossoms as theyappeared on the tree during the blooming season.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of plum tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description wasdeveloped at the state of firm ripe on Jul. 15, 2010, on the originaltree during its ninth growing season. The flower and bud descriptionswere developed during the previous blooming season. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also usedoccasionally.

It is to be noted that the climatic conditions in 2010 led to delayedfruit ripening for most of the season by approximately ten days. Thisshould be taken into account when comparing to other varietydescriptions made referencing different years. However, the relativeblooming times and ripening times cited in this application are accuratefor 2010, and should remain about the same in future years.

Parentage

-   Seed parent: Unknown.-   Pollen parent: Unknown.

Tree

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and    a spread of 8′ [2.44 m.] after nine growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Medium vigor, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and dense.-   Form: Pruned to a central leader type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Very productive, thinning usually necessary.-   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a    suitable early seasonal blooming plum such as ‘Yummygem’ (U.S. Plant    Pat. No. 15,809).-   Bearing: Regular bearing observed thus far, weather dependent.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4⅝″ [117.5 mm.]            after the ninth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Dark brown [59. d.Br] and Dark grayish brown            [62. d.gy.Br] variegation with a few Light yellowish brown            [76. 1.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size: 5/16″ [7.9            mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of the first hanger is 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.]            measured 12″ from the central leader.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Strong yellowish brown [74.            s.yBr]. 1st Year Wood Underside: Strong yellow green [117.            s.YG]. 2^(nd) Year Wood: Deep brown [56. deep Br] with a            Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] variegation. 3^(rd) Year Wood:            Dark brown [59. d.Br] with a Dark grayish brown [62.            d.gy.Br] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 80 on second year            wood. Color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 4″ [101.6 mm.]. Average Width:            2″ [50.8 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute with an average angle base angle of 60 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green [120. YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: Up to 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green            [119. 1.YG] becoming Light reddish brown [42. 1.rBr] with            age.        -   Glands.—Number: 1 to 4 per leaf, mostly 2. Position:            Alternately positioned at the intersection of the petiole            and on the leaf blade. Size: Small. Form: Globose. Color:            Light yellow green [119. 1.YG] becoming Grayish reddish            brown [46. gy.rBr] in the center with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. White].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Oval to circular.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, smooth to slightly wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Obtuse.        -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Strong orange yellow [68. s.OY] over a            Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] center.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101 1.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] on the            outer surface.        -   Sepal length.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and            length.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth with slight serrations toward            the apex.        -   Average pistil length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Bloom density.—Heavy.        -   Number per cluster.—2 to 8, average 5.        -   Pollen production.—Medium, average enticement to bees.        -   Blooming period.—Early, about three days after ‘Yummygem’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,809) plum.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 14, 2010.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 23, 2010.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.

Fruit

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jul. 15, 2010.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 9, 2010.-   Date of last picking: Jul. 19, 2010.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2 5/16″ [58.7 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2 11/16″ [68.3 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—4.9 ounces [139 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oblate to cordate if viewed            parallel to the suture.        -   Transverse section through axial diameter.—Round.-   Suture: An inconspicuous shallow groove extending from the base to    the apex, slightly sharper toward both the base and apex.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the apex.-   Lips: Usually equal, unequal on a few.-   Cavity: Circular, suture showing on one side, stem indentations    occur occasionally.    -   -   Depth.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Breadth.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Base: Cordate and slightly truncate.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr] dot    located at the end of the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Slightly bitter.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed in dry season.        -   Color.—Blackish purple [230. bk.P] with a minor amount of            Light yellow green [119. l.YG] freckling throughout.        -   Bloom.—Abundant.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Brilliant greenish yellow [98. brill.gY] with some            Light orange yellow [70. l.OY] streaking near the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Brilliant orange yellow            [67. brill.OY] broken fibers when twisted away from the            stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Fairly evenly, slightly earlier toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—Mild, sweet with moderate acid, typically 15 to 17            brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

Stone

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Straight, slightly cordate.-   Apex: Acuminate with a sharp 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] tip.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Rough throughout with a groove on each side of the dorsal    fin.-   External color of stone: Light olive brown [94. l.olBr] when dry.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light brown [57. l.Br].-   Cavity surface color: Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.]-   Average width: 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].-   Average length: ⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Pellicle color.—Very greenish yellow [97. v.gY].        -   Vein color.—Brilliant greenish yellow [98. brill.gY].        -   Taste.—Slightly bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

Use

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree, substantially as illustratedand described, that is similar to ‘Yummyrosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,476) plum by being productive, by being self-unfruitful, and byproducing fruit that is medium in size, sweet in flavor, mostly oblatein shape, and clingstone in type but is distinguished therefrom byflowering in the early instead of mid season and by producing fruit thatis almost entirely yellow in flesh color without red bleeding, that ismuch less prone to dropping, and that matures about seven days later.